69 Radio Removal

[Don W.]

My wife purchased an original and refurbished 69 delco radio including the transformer for my '69. I wanted to get input on the steps to remove and replace the radio and also what else I might work on while things are apart (i.e., clock, dash light bulbs, etc). I searched the archives and the discussions seem to be focused on later C-3s.

Thanks,

Don

[Robert S.]

Re: 69 Radio Removal

I have a 74' but assume the steps would be the same. Remove the L and R side covers next to the center console, remove the right side dash panel, remove the brake console (remember to remove the hidden bolt at the rear end of the console that you get to by reaching behind the storage compartments), remove the shift console (which will require removing the shift knob and the shift plate with ashtray etc., and removing the heater control from it's metal bracket and removing the two 10-24 hidden nuts that attach to downward pointing studs on the center gage stack- look for the nuts with a mirror - the left side one is the most difficult to access but it can be done). Remove the vent panel above the center gage stack and remove the other two screws that hold the center gage stack to the drivers side panel. Remove the radio knobs and remove the two nuts that hold the radio to the center gage stack. Remove the right side radio support bracket. Remove the electrical connections and antenna connection to the radio. At this point you can move the center gage stack forward and pull out the radio easily.
These steps may be more than absoutely necessary but it almost guarantees that the radio will come out without damage to anything else.
Beyond the clock (which will require you to remove all of the things plugged into the rear of the center gage stack and with the stack free you remove the clock knob an one bolt on the back to get the clock out) you probably will find damage to the center console in the area where the shift console plate mounts and you may find the console cracked along the corner along the rear side. This damage is all repairable.

[Don W.]

Re: 69 Radio Removal

Robert,

Thanks for the detailed reply. I'll have to block a weekend instead of a few hours to get this job done.

Don

[Jim T.]

Re: 69 Radio Removal

Don I have removed the radio in my original owner 68 only once, need to do it again. However since my 68 does not have air conditioning the radio is not all that labor intensive. Only have to remove the left access panel to remove the electrical plug on the drivers side. Remove the passenger dash panel, no map pockets on the 68, my 70 has map pockets on this panel. To remove this panel the door sill comes off first, them I remove the plastic kick panel grille. Have to be careful removing this because of the way the top end piece fits into the dash panel. Remove the dash panel but note/mark which screw goes where from the guage panel into the dash pad.
Remove the radio brace on the passenger side. Remove the radio knobs and using a deep socket, remove the retainer nuts from the shaft. Remove the radio antenna lead. Now slide the radio back, and adjusting the radio tilt for removal and bring it out on the passenger side. There is one other plug to remove also to the heat sink.
I have removed my original owner 70's radio once years ago and it has air conditioning. On my 68 and my 70 I did not move the console back or remove the guage panel. On my 70 I moved/removed the plastic ducting behind the radio to get it out.
The guage panel is very to easy to break at its weakest point, yours may already be broken.

[Terry M.]

Re: 69 Radio Removal

Jim mentioned one of the cautions -- broken center gauge bezel. Read and understand what he says.

Finding the hidden bolt for the center console without the picture from the AIM is a challenge, as is finding the nuts on the bottom of the center gauge bezel. Get the AIM.

There are illustrated step-by-step instructions in the Chassis Service Manual -- get it. They are not as complete as they should be, and lack some of the advice you are receiving here -- but they are worth more than our words.

There are pictures in the AIM -- get the appropriate AIM for your year. It is difficult at first to navigate through the AIM, but you will get used to it. Remember the picture is worth thousands of words. Guys are visual creatures.

Keep track of where the screws for the sides of the center gauge bezel and the sides and top of the dash pad (the one with the map pocket if your Corvette is 1969 or newer) come from. Be very careful to put them back in the same hole as they came out of. Some of the screws have the same head size, but different lengths. Put the longer screw in the wrong hole and you will punch an extra hole in your dash pad.

Don't pull too hard on anything in the interior. 30 + year old plastic will be brittle and will break easier than you think. Break some of it and you will quickly learn the quality, or lack of it, of the reproduction pieces, not to mention the lightness you will feel in your wallet.

Go slowly. Don't work on it when you are tired.

[Steven G.]

Re: 69 Radio Removal

Don, Terry Is Right On About Being Very, Very, Carful In The Dash, Especially The (l+r )top Thin Areas On Guage Bezel. You Will Have Made A Major Accomplishment If The Bezel Does Not Crack.

[Erv M.]

Re: 69 Radio Removal

Be careful in pulling the center bezel out too far. Pull it forward just enough to remove the radio. The pigtails for the instrument lights are are and a PITA.

Or if you have not been there before take the time and change all the bulbs out. If you do this mark them carefully as we get old our memories are not what they use to be.

Take you time, not a difficult task.